Ballowall Barrow — Attraction in St Just

Ballowall Burrow, located on Carn Gluze in Cornwall, is an intriguing prehistoric site with a rich history. The burrow is a series of ancient, underground chambers and passages that date back to the Bronze Age, roughly 3,000 years ago. It is believed to have been used as a burial mound, with the structure being carefully constructed to house the remains of the deceased. The site is part of a larger landscape of prehistoric monuments on the Penwith Peninsula, known for its numerous ancient standing stones, cairns, and burial sites. Over the centuries, Ballowall Burrow has been a focal point for archaeologists due to its well-preserved features. Excavations have revealed that the burrow was once covered by a large cairn, which has since been disturbed. The site provides valuable insights into the spiritual and cultural practices of the Bronze Age inhabitants of Cornwall. Today, Ballowall Burrow is an important landmark for both history enthusiasts and walkers exploring the rugged beauty of Carn Gluze and its surrounding moorland. Parking along the road but not a lot - Also a great place to walk the coast path to visit either Cape Cornwall or...

Here today.6.7.18.The first barrow i had seen of this design.Obviously it had a roof at some time but very unusual.A great find.There is the entrance where visitors kneel and crawl,but there is usually a 9metre tunnel,a shelf or two and the place where the body once lay,with the tunnel to be lined up to face the morning sun,and the posher one's lined up for the summer solstice when a beam of sunlight bounced off a rock at the inneropoint of the grave.This one however is different as you can see in the photographs.Most chambers are constructed by a line of vertical stones being "capped" by a horizontal stone or two,or more,known as cap stones.The photographs show visitors crawl in a circular fashion.I've never seen a grave like this one before,with or without the roof.Im not sure how rare it is but I've seen a few neolithic,iron age,bronze age barrows--graves and this one is my first(not that im into tracking down graves,im just into ancient history) to be built in this style.Enjoy your walk,even better still if you are on holiday.I ain't afraid...

The barrow is 72 feet (22 m) in diameter. The Cornwall and Scilly Historic Environment Record describes it as a central domed structure, containing cists and with a pit beneath, surrounded by an outer cairn also containing cists. An entrance grave is located in the external side of the outer cairn. The site today is a confused mix of original and reconstructions introduced by Borlase. The finds from excavations are stored in museums at Truro, Cambridge and the British Museum. Worth a visit plus the bonus of the...